Are there apostles in the church today?

In the case of judging of prophecy, other prophets may judge but also the elders should play an important part. If the one prophesying is a prophet, then the judging can only be by an apostle. Are there any Christ-given apostles in the churches in the U.S?

Answer:

There are certainly many apostles in the US. We disagree with your statement that only an apostles can judge the words of a prophet. The book of 1 Thessalonians is addressed, 'To the church of the Thessalonians.' In chapter 5:20-21 it says, 'Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.' This indicates that Paul expected each member of the assembly to evaluate what he is hearing and hold onto only that which passes the test. Furthermore, in 1 John 4:1 the apostles writes, 'Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.' This is an instruction to all of the mature of believers (see 1 John 2:12-14). We would also say that the highest earthly authority within an assembly is the pastoral eldership. These men may welcome the counsel of an apostle, but once the assembly has been placed under the oversight of elders, they are the final authority under Jesus in all matters pertaining to the assembly at large. This includes prophetic utterances.